Viscose treating apparatus



Oct. 25, 1932. s. A. NEIDICH VISCOSE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12,1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 25, 1932. s. A. NEIDICH I VISCOSE TREATINGAPPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1929 Oct. 25, 1932. s. A.NEIDICH 1,334,311

VISCOSE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12. 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG EJimmy. fl Ai /01c,

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1932- s. A. NElDlCH VISCOSE TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledFeb. 12. 1929 Oct. 25, 1932- s. A. NElDlCH VISCOSE TREATING APPARATUSFiled Feb. 12, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 HG. m

0 M 1 F M w W N a? a v 1 A, W A m 1 mm 8 8 J N w la E W J g 2 m w MmPatented Oct. 2 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PA'E ENT OFFICE SAMUEL A.NEIDICI-I, 0F EDGEWATER PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SYLVAN'IAINDUSTRIAL CORPORATION, OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OFVIRGINIA VISCOSE TREATING' APPARATUS Application filed February 12,1929. SerialNo. 339,476.

The operations of forming viscose products from pulp ordinarily occupytwo weeks time. Altho most of that time is required to eflect thechemical changes incident to the several steps in the process; theconversion of viscose to cellulose hydrate ordinarily re quires from sixto seven hours time when such operations are effected by alternatelycharging and discharging the required liquids with respect to containersin which the v1scose is treated. However, such conversion may beeffected in less than two hours, if the 'time ordinarily wasted in thecharging and discharging operations may be saved.

Therefore, the purpose and effect of this invention is to provide meansfor effecting, at maximum speed, a substantially continuous process ofconversion of viscose to cellulose hydrate. Such a process includes thesuccessive subjection of the viscose filaments to theaction of acid,alkali, and water. However, as hereinafter described, my improvedapparatus includes a circular series of eighteen tanks or tubs, forcontaining liquids, and is so organized that further treatment of thefilaments may be effected during a cycle of operation of the apparatus.For instance, the filaments may be washed, dyed, and washed again aftertheir conversion. In that specific process, the apparatus includes meansfor subjecting the viscose to the action of 1) a strong aqueous solutionof sulphuric acid, (2) an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate, (3)water, (4) a weak aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, (5) Water, (6) dyeliquor, (7 hot water, and (8) cold water.

My invention relates to apparatus of the type claimed in Letters Patentof the United States No. 1,616,918 granted to me February The form of myinvention herein disclosed differs from that of said -:Letters Pat'ent,in

that bodies of the several liquids aforesaid are continuously maintainedin respective stationary tubs, and the rotary carriage isarranged tosupport the filament trays independently of the liquid containers, andto not only intermittently turn to present the trays in registry withsuch stationary tubs, in succession, but to be lowered and raised tosuccessively submerge the filaments in the liquids in said tubs andraise the filaments therefrom. As hereinafter described, the means forraising and lowering said carriage is adapted to repeatedly dip thefilaments up and down in the liquids in the tubs, to cause the liquidsto surge thru the filaments in the tubs. Moreover, means are provided tocontinuously circulate the several liquids aforesaid to, in, and fromthe respective tubs, during the operation of the apparatus, withouttheprovision of automatically operative valves as aforesaid.

The several features of my present invention, differing from thatdisclosed in said Letters Patent, are advantageous in that the cost ofconstruction of the apparatus is very much less and the operationthereof is facilitated.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction,arrangement, and method of procedure hereinafter more definitelyspecified.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a diagrammatic elevation of apparatusconveniently embod ing my invention; showing the general arrangement ofthe means for maintaining the circulation of the several liquids withrespect to the circular series of tubs into which the filaments aresuccessively dipped as aforesaid.

Fig. II is a plan view of said rotary carriage, the circular series oftubs subjacent thereto, and their appurtenances.

Fig. III a somewhat diagrammatic vertical sectional view of said seriesof tubs, carriage, and appurtenances thereof.

Fig. IV is an end elevation of one of the radially extending pivoted,tray supporting frames indicated in Figs. II and III.

Fig. V is a transverse sectional view of one of the filament trays andits appurtenances. Fig. 'VI-isa planvlew of the mechanism for lifting,turning, and lowering said rotary tray carriage.

Fig. VII is a side elevation of said mechanism shown in Fig. VI.

Fig. VIII is a transverse sectional View of said mechanism, taken on thelines VIII, VIII in Figs. VI and VII, in the direction of the arrows onsaid lines.

Fig. IX is a diagram of the electric circuits of said apparatus.

As indicated in Fig. I; the elements of the apparatus are preferablydistributed upon three levels, 1, 2, and 3, which maybe respectivefloors in a suitable building inclosure. Upon the first floor; I providew hat I herein after term a series of primary containers 5 which are theprimary receptacles for the respective liquids required and in whichsuch liquids may be prepared, if desired. Each of said primarycontainers, 5 is provided with a discharge conduit 6, leading to,respective pumps 7 and thence to. a series; of secondary containers 8,9, 10, and 11, located on the third fioor. .Each of said secondarycontainers hasa discharge conduit, respectively 13, 14, 15, and 16,controlled byrespective valves 18, 19, 20, and 21, and leading torespective tubs 23, 24, 25, and 26. The level of the liquidsin saidtubs, thus supplied, is determined by the height of respective outletpipes 28, 29, 30, and 3,1, which lead back to the respective primarycontainers 5. As above indicated,- the secondary containers 8, 9, 10,and 11- may respectively contain a strong aqueous solution, of sulphuricacid, a weak aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, an aqueous solution of,sodium phosphate, and dye liquor. As indicated in Fig. I, the containers10 may have steam heating coils. 33

therein; so that the sodium phosphate solution may be heated to theboiling point, if desired. Moreover, hot water may be supplied from themain 34 and cold water from the main r Referring to Fig. II; in theuseof said apparatus in a process of converting and, dyeing viscosefilaments; the tub 23 is the initial tub in the series into which thefilaments are successively dipped, and contains what is termed strongsulphuric acid solution, to wit, an aqueous solution containing, say,three percent, of such. acid. As hereinafter described, such filamentsare progressed from tub to tub, in the circular series of eighteen,clockwise. The second tub in such succession is marked 37 and is leftempty to receive, from the filaments, the drippings of the strongsulphuric acid solution to which they have been subjected in the tub 23.Said tub 37 may have a dischar e conduit 38 leading back to therespective primary container 5 containingv such strong acid solution.The next four tubs in such succession in said series, and which aremarked 24 in Fig. II, are supplied with the aqueous solution ofsodiumphosphate, say, one and one-half percent, of that chemical. The next tubin such succession, and which is marked 40 in Fig. II, is supplied withwater, conveniently from said cold water main 35. The level of the waterin said tub is determined by the height of the overflow pipe 41 whichleadsflto a waste outlet. The next two tubs in such succession, andwhich are marked 25 in Fig. II, are supplied with weak sulphuric acidsolution, to wit, an aqueous solution containing one and One-halfpercent, of such acid. The next tub in such succession and which ismarked 42. in Fig. II, is supplied with water, con veniently from saidcold water main 35. The level of water in that tub is determined by theheight of the overflow pipe 43 which leads to a wastev outlet. The nextsix tubs in such succession and which are marked 26 in Fig. II, aresupplied with dye liquor, which may be an aqueous solution containing15/100 of one percent, of the dye. The next tub. in such succession, andwhichis marked 45 in Fig. II, is supplied with hot water, convenientlyfrom the main 34. The level of the water in that tub is determined bythe height of the overflow pipe 46 which may lead to a Waste outlet. Thelast in such succession of the eighteen tubs in said series, and

which is marked 48 in Fig. II, is supplied with cold water, convenientlyfrom said main 35. The level of the water in said tub is determined bythe height of the overflow pipe 49, which may lead to a waste outlet.

I find it convenient to form said tubsof vitrified earthenware or otherceramic material. l

The filaments to be treated as above contemplated are conveniently heldin individual loosely coiled masses 51, in devices such as. are bestshown 1n Fig. V, mcludlng, a cylindrical pot-shaped filament tray 52,formedof a band of bakelite, having an inner annular flange 53 at thebottom thereof formed of rubber, upon which rests a perforated disk ofporcelain 54, forming a foraminous bottom for such tray. In order toprevent the filament 51 from being displaced out of the tray, when thelatter is lowered into the liquid; I find it convenient to provide eachsuch tray with an upper screen closure 55, comprising an annular band ofbakelite fitting somewhat loosely in the tray 52 and having, at thebottom thereof, a screen fabric 56 of one and one-half inch meshes,preferably formed of Monel metal wire. Two such trays 52 may besupported, during the treating operation, upon each pair ofopposed anglerails 58, which are formed of porcelain or other ceramic. As indicatedin Fig. IV; each pair of such rails 58 is suspended, by Monel metalhangers. 59, which are rigidly pendent from a tray supporting frame '60.The stop bar 61, which is also pendent from said frame, serves. to limitthe radiallyrin- Ward movement of said trays on said rails. Such frames60 are conveniently made of cast aluminum and are independently hlnged 7upon pintles 63 supported in brackets 64 lowered, and turned from tub totub in the circular series, as hereinafter described.

Each of said frames includes a pair of downwardly extending flanges 68,each having, extending therethru, an axially adjustable set screw 69.Said set screws bear against the respective brackets 64 on the carriageand determine the precise elevation at which said tracks 58 are normallypresented, during the turning movement of the carriage. Said frames 60are thus pivoted so thatthey may yield upwardly, if, when the carriageis lowered, said tracks 58 encounter any obstruction preventing themfrom descending to the full extent intended. For instance, if thecarriage is accidentally stopped and lowered with one of the rails 58overhanging the side wall of the tub into which it is designed to lowerit; lowering movement of the carriage will simply tilt the frameupwardly without breaking it or any of its appurtenances.

Referring to Figs. VI to VIII; said rotary carriage shaft 66 is mountedfor rotation and vertical reciprocation in the bearing 71 on the secondfloor; which bearing is in the stationary housing 72 and has thelubricating oil pocket 73 above it and the felt packing 7 1 below it, tolimit leakage of the oil down said shaft. Said shaft is also mounted forrotation and vertical reciprocation in the bearing bracket 75 on thebase plate 7 6 which is stationary 011 a scaffolding 77 between thefirst and second floors. Said base plate 76 has the roller bearing 80for said shaft and supports the worm gear 81 which is mounted to turnfreely in the. roller bearings 82 and 83 between said bracket 75 andbase plate 76. Said gear 81 has a key 85 extending in the key way 86 inthe portion of said shaft 66 which reciprocates thru said worm gear 81;whereby said shaft may be turned without interference with its verticalreciprocation.

Said rotary carriage shaft 66 has the collar 87 rigidly connectedtherewith and by which it is raised and lowered by means of the lever 88which is fulcrumed at 89 on the bracket 90 rigidly connected with saidbase plate 76. Said lever 88 includes the fork 91 carrying oppositerollers 92 upon which said shaft collar 87 continually rests. The weightof said shaft 66 and its appurtenances, including said carriage 65 etc.,is almost completely counterbalanced by the weights 94- which arecarried by the link 95 at the end of said lever 88 opposite to saidshaft 66, the weight of said shaftand its "appurtenances, not thuscounterbalanced,

is borne by the rotary cam 96 which is ridden by the rollers 97 on saidlever 88. Said cam 96 is of such configuration that every desiredvertical movement of said shaft 66 and the filament carriage supportedby it, is effected in proper sequence with the intermittent rotarymovement of said shaft. The relative rotary movements of said shaft 66and cam 96 are conveniently effected by the driving shaft 99 which maybe constantly rotated by connection with a suitable motor 98 and whichhas, rigidly con- 7 nected therewith, the crown clutch member 100.Intermittent rotary movement of said shaft 66 and cam 96 is obtainedfrom the continuous rotary movement of said shaft 99, by means of thecrown clutch member 101, which is mounted to slide axially upon theshaft 102 which is journaled, in axial alinement with said shaft 99, inthe bearings 104 and 105 on said base plate 76. Axial movement of saidclutch member 101 to engage and disengage said clutch member 100, iseffected by the lever 107 which is fulcrumed at 108 on said base plate76, has a stud 109 engaging the groove 110 in said clutch member 101,and is connected by the link 111 with the lever 112 which is fulcrumedat 113 on the second floor 2, so as to be readily accessible to theoperator of said carriage 65 and its appurtenances. Said shaft 102carries the worm 115 continually engaged with said worm gear 81, wherebysaid carriage shaft may be intermittently turned; when said worm isoperatively connected with its shaft 102 by its friction clutch 116, ashereinafter described.

Said shaft 102 also carries, rigidly connected therewith, the worm 117,continually engaged with the worm gear 118 on the cam shaft 120 withwhich said cam 96 is rigidly connected. The construction and arrangementof the driving mechanism aforesaid are such that said cam shaft 120 iscontinually turned, clockwise as indicated in Fig. VII, and the carriage65 is turned clockwise as indicated in Fig. II; whenever the clutchmember 101 is engaged with the driving clutch member 100 on the shaft99.

Said cam shaft 120 carries the cam 121 having the roller 122 incooperative relation with the clutch lever 123 which is mounted on therock shaft 124 journaled in the bearings 125 and 126which are stationaryon said base plate 76. Said clutch lever 128 has the roller 128 engagedin the groove 129 on the clutch member 130 which is thereby axiallymovable on said shaft 102. Clockwise movement of said cam shaft 120, asindicated in Fig. VII, causes the roller 122 on said cam 121 tointermittently encounter said clutch lever 123, push it down out of thepath of said roller 122, and thus move said clutch member to the rightin Fig. VII; thus engaging said clutch member 116 to frictiontimein thecycle of operation of said carriage 6.5. Said clutch lever 123 also hasthe roller 132 which rides, upon the disk flange 133 of said clutchmember 116' and is adapted to drop intothe notch 134 of said; disk whensaid clutch member 130 is'inthe disengagedposition shown Fig. VII, Theconstruction and arrangement of the various elements aforesaid by whichsaid flange 133 is turned, aresuch that when its notch 134- is thus engaged by the clutch lever roller 132; the porcelain tracks; 58, carryingthe filament trays 52', are in registry with the respective tubs 23 etc,in which said filaments are to be dipped. I

However, as a safety device,.to prevent accidental lowering of thecarriage 6-5 and its appurtenances when said tracks 58 are not inpro-perregistry with said tubs 23. etc., 1 provide the slide bolt 136. which ismounted to reciprocatelhorizontally the bearings 13.7 and is operativelyconnected with the arm 138 of said clutch lever 123, bythe bell cranklever 139 and link 1.40; so that, when said roller 132 is uplifted fromthenotch 134 of the clutch flange 133, said bolt136 is thrust away fromthe; observer in, Fig. VII and be-.

neath said lever 88 so as to uphold the latter and the unbalancedportion of the weight of the carriage and its appurtenances until saidroller 132 falls into said notch 134, when the latter is again presentedin registry therewith. Said slide bolt 136 thus prevents'low-v eringmovement of said carriage 65 and its appurtenances. except when theporcelain tracks 58 are properly registered with their respective tubs23 etc.

Moreover, I prefer to provide said apparatus with means to automaticallystop. the

operation of the machine by the shaft 102;

if and when said roll-er 132 fails to dropinto the notch 134 of theclutch flange 133 atthe proper time. Such means includes the arm 142. onthe clutch lever 10? and the weight 143 which, when released, drops uponsaid arm 142 and shifts theclutch member 101to the left. in Fig. VII, bysaid lever 107.- Said weight, 143 is conveniently upheld by the solenoidcoil 144 which is energized by the circuit including the conductors 145and 146. Said circuit includes the two push switches 14.8 and 149 whichare spring pressed so as to be'norlnally closed, in parallel relationwith each other, but in series with said coil 144. As long as either ofsaid switches remains closed, the circuit energizing said coil 144 isclosed and the weight 143 upheld.

.Either of said switches may be pushed to open the circuitthereat, wihout dropping the Weight, but f both switches are contemporaneouslyoperated to open the circuit, said weightdrops and the machine stops.Said switch 148 is arranged to be operated by the lever 151 which'isrigidly connected with the rock shaft'124, so.- that the circuit isopened at said switch 148-whenever said roller 132 is uplifted from the.notch 134 to roll upon the clutch flange 133 as the latter turns. Theswitch 149 is arranged to be operated by the roller 152. on the arm 153which is rigidly connected with the cam shaft 120. Said arm 103 is sopositioned on said shaft that said roller 152 pushes upon the switch 149immediately after said notch 134 has been presented in registry withsaid roller 132; so that, ifthe switch 148 has not been permitted toclose by the fall ofsaid roller 132 into saidnotch, and consequentwithdrawal of the arm v15 1 from said switch 148; the circuit remainsopen at that switch and is, thereupon, immediately opened at the otherswitch 149, so. that the circuit energizing said coil 144 is. broken andthe weight released to stop the apparatus as aforesaid.

As the action of the worms on said shaft 102 tends to thrust the latteraxially tothe left in Fig. VII; the bearing 105 includes anti-frictionballs orother rollers to sustain such stress and minimize the frictionincident thereto. Moreover, I find it convenient to lubricate the lowerend of the shaft 66 and the worm gear 81 and worm 115 connectedtherewith, by mounting upon. the under side of said base plate 76, theoilwell 156 into which the lower end of said shaft 66 dips and forcesoil upwardly, to said parts, each time said shaft is lowered.

Howevergl do not desire to limit myself to the specific construction andarrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the essentialfeatures of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

. I claim: v

In viscose'treating apparatus, the combination with a rotary carriage,having means arranged to supporta circular series of trays, for rotationin coaxial relation with said series; of a circular-series of stationarytubs disposed beneath said series of trays; meansarrangedtointermittently raise and lower said carriage; and meansarranged to intermittently turn said carriage; whereby, said trays maybeautomatically dipped into and removed from said tubs, in succession;wherein the tray supporting means are radially extending framesrespectively, independently, ingedly connected to the carriage, and

free to be upturned by any subj acent obstrucseries; of a circularseries of stationary tubs disposed beneath said series of trays; meansarranged to intermittently raise and lower said carriage; and meansarranged to intermittently turn said carriage; whereby, said trays maybe automatically dipped into and removed from said tubs, in succession;Wherein the tray supporting means include pairs of parallel rails,extending radially from said carriage, and arranged to slidably engagethe trays between them.

3. In viscose treating apparatus, the combination with a rotarycarriage, having means arranged to support a circular series of trays,for rotation in coaxial relation with said series; of a circular seriesof stationary tubs disposed beneath said series of trays; means arrangedto intermittently raise and lower said carriage; and means arranged tointermittently turn said carriage; whereby, said trays may beautomatically dipped into and removed from said tubs, in succession;wherein the tray supporting means include pairs of parallel rails,extending radially from said carriage, and arranged to slidably engagethe trays between them; and means hingedly connecting each pair of railswith said carriage, independently; whereby said pairs of rails may beindependently upturned.

a 4. In viscose treating apparatus, the combination with a rotarycarriage, having means arranged to support a circular series of trays,for rotation in coaxial relation with said series; of a circular seriesof stationary tubs disposed beneath said series of trays; means arrangedto intermittently raise and lower said carriage; and means arranged tointermittently turn said carriage; whereby, said trays may beautomatically dipped into and removed from said tubs, in succession;wherein the tray supporting means include pairs of parallel rails,extending radially from said carriage, and arranged to slidably engagethe trays between them; means hingedly connecting each pair of railswith said carriage, independently; whereby said pairs of rails may beindependently upturned; and respective adjustable means, indepedentlylimiting the downward turning movement of each pair of rails.

5. In viscose treating apparatus, the combination with a rotarycarriage, having means arranged to support a circular series of trays.for rotation in coaxial relation with said series; of a circular seriesof stationary tubs disposed beneath said series of trays: means arrangedto intermittently raise and lower said carriage; and means arranged tointermittently turn said carriage: whereby, said trays may beautomatically dipped into and removed from said tubs, in succession;comprising a safety device arranged to stop the movement of the carriageif and when the latter is improperly placed for such movement withrespect to the tubs; including an electric motor arranged to normallyeliect the movements of the apparatus in proper sequence; an energizingcircuit for said motor; two electric switches, in said circuit, inparallel relation with each other and in series relation with saidmotor; means automatically movable with the normal movement of theapparatus adapted to successively open said switches, independently ofeach other, and permit their alternate closure under normal conditions;whereby both switches are opened under abnormal conditions to break saidcircuit and stop said motor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto si ned my name at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this third day of December, 1928.

' SAMUEL A. NEIDICH.

